A Conversation with Oreste Giusti, MR intern
Q.: What did you learn from your internship with MR?
A.: From my internship, I learned the values of time management, inter-departmental collaboration, and the need to be able to communicate clearly in multiple languages.
Q.: What do you think about the company?
A.: MR creates a good atmosphere for learning and growing in the real work world. The company setup was ideal for me because everyone was very open, close, and clear about their expectations. I was able to quickly begin working with building relationships with my colleagues personally and professionally because of this atmosphere, and it also allowed me to get my individual work done quickly and comfortably.
Q.: From an American perspective, what didn't you like about the experience?
A.: Sometimes I felt uncomfortable when people in town would look at me in a way that appeared as though they were judging me; although the people I worked with took to me quickly and fondly, strangers in town treated me like a foreigner even after I'd been here for three months. However, I know that they may not have been looking at me negatively, and their stares were most likely due to curiosity.
Q.: In your opinion, what do you think could have improved your experience?
A.: The experience was very good, however if something must be improved, I believe that I could have benefited from a list of good restaurants and things to do. Also, I think if you are not intimately familiar with Italian culture, then the basic customs of the culture should be explained so that new people will not feel alienated for their lack of understanding of the Sicilian culture and customs.
Q.: In a sentence, what is the primary reason an engineering student would complete an internship at MR?
A.: The primary reason to complete an internship at MR would be to gently adapt to the working routines of a professional engineering firm. Many engineering students may or may not have the educational luxury of gaining experience with professional design programs, but an internship with MR allows students to practice their skills in these programs on real mechanical components, on a real-life deadline. This type of practice is invaluable.
